معرفی
Maurizio Romano is an Associate Professor of General Pathology (MED/04) at the Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste. He holds dual affiliations with both the University of Trieste and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGBE) in Trieste. His academic roles include membership on the Departmental Council, coordination of Course of Study Advice, and participation in multiple doctoral college committees for Molecular Biomedicine programs. His research is centered within the Biomedicine research area, specifically focusing on Immunology and Molecular Pathology.
Dr. Romano earned his BSc in Biology from the University of Trieste in 1990 and completed his PhD in Clinical and Experimental Pathology in 1995 with a thesis on "Molecular characterization of hereditary deficiencies of eosinophil peroxidase and myeloperoxidase." His early career began at the Laboratory of Molecular Pathology under Prof. Francisco E. Baralle at ICGEB in 1991, where he has maintained a continuous research presence alongside his university position.
Romano's research primarily investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, with particular emphasis on ALS, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and related proteinopathies. His groundbreaking work in the early 2000s contributed to the identification of TDP-43 as a regulator of CFTR pre-mRNA splicing, which later proved crucial when TDP-43 was identified as the major protein component in aggregates found in ALS and FTD patients in 2006. His laboratory employs a multidisciplinary approach combining in vitro and ex vivo models with transcriptomic and computational techniques to study RNA metabolism defects in neurodegeneration.
His publication record reveals a consistent focus on TDP-43 pathology, with recent work expanding into sigma receptor ligands for neuroprotection, RNA splicing mechanisms in aging, and the prion-like spreading of TDP-43 pathology. The research demonstrates an evolution from basic molecular pathology toward translational applications, with increasing emphasis on therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative conditions.
- Wikitastic Top 10%: Research mentioned in 9 Wikipedia articles (top 4% of researchers)
- Open Access Top 10%: 73% of research freely available online (top 7% of researchers)
- Open License Top 10%: 36% published under CC-BY or similar licenses (top 3% of researchers)
- Global Reach Top 50%: Research shared across 29 countries
- Greatest Hit: Top publication saved and shared 6 times
Dr. Romano actively mentors doctoral students through his participation in multiple doctoral committees and has coordinated Course of Study Advice for Medical and Diagnostic Biotechnology programs. His research group receives funding through projects such as "TARGETING SIGMA-1 RECEPTORS TO TREAT COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION INDUCED BY NORADRENERGIC LOSS" (Prot. 2022ZSC4Z5), where he serves as Scientific Manager. The group maintains strong international collaborations, particularly with researchers studying RNA binding proteins and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.
The Romano laboratory operates at the intersection of molecular pathology and neuroscience within the Department of Life Sciences. His research group focuses on establishing in vitro and in vivo models to characterize the pathophysiological mechanisms linking TDP-43 to neurodegenerative diseases. The lab maintains active collaborations with the ICGEB and participates in the "Gene Biology" research group focused on Immunology and Molecular Pathology within the university's Biomedicine research area.
